Seyi Oduntan, former Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Compass, has joined the race for the Ogun East Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
If he gets the ticket and eventually wins the seat, he will add to the list of those who left the media for the Senate, such as Chris Anyanwu (formerly with the Nigerian Television Authority), Babafemi Ojudu (The News/PM News), and Ayogu Eze (The Guardian).
Oduntan may have to slug it out with his friend and boss and former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), founder of Nigerian Compass.
Both are contesting for the same senatorial seat.
Leg work
Odutan obtained the N3.8 million nomination form in Abeokuta last week, filled, and submitted it.
He began the leg work in November 2013 after consultation with community leaders and major stakeholders in the APC, touring all the nine councils and 103 wards in Ogun East.
He submitted the nomination form at the APC secretariat in Abeokuta accompanied by state party Secretary, Toyin Ayebusiwa, amid cheers and jubilation from other supporters.
Fierce contest
Oduntan, also former Honeywell Group Managing Director, expressed hope of electoral success, telling supporters to continue praying and working as the race for the National Assembly (NASS) will soon begin with the primaries.
He said the contest for the Senate will be fierce because that is where the fate of the nation is decided via robust debate, which is why Nigerians must be careful in choosing members of the Upper House.
He urged voters to rise above sentiments by electing those capable of making governance work for the masses.
Antecedents
Oduntan brings along a wealth of experience, having been in the league of captains of industry.
At Honeywell, he rose to become General Manager and later Managing Director at the age of 35.
After 14 years, he resigned to form his own Lanrope Group of companies with interests in diesel and solar energy, international trade, and finance.
Oduntan has served as Chairman or Director in various public and private institutions, including Western Publishing Company, publishers of Nigerian Compass, Ogun State owned Gateway Pharmaceuticals Company, Citadel Savings and Loans (where he was co-founder), and Forest City (United Kingdom);
Political vision
“Ogun State people expect and believe that infrastructural development by the government is vitally important.
“Putting thousands of people back to work with construction of new roads, bridges, power, water, ensures a knock-on effect that helps to put hard earned cash in pockets and food on the table of thousands more is important.
“This is what makes our dear Ogun State very unique and so special,” he said.
“The scale of the infrastructure being built by the Ibikunle Amosun government is unprecedented, and it is my belief that by addressing this problem, generations yet unborn will derive huge benefit for integrated development. But we can get more from the centre to support this laudable achievement.”
Oduntan implored the federal government to fully rehabilitate the Abeokuta-Sagamu-Ore-Benin road as it is being done in large swathes of the North and South South.